Using “be+ going to + infinitive” and “will + infinitive” to show future intensions

am/is/are + going to + speak, write, listen, read, do and will + speak, write, listen, read, do, etc.

We use “be going to” to predict something that we think is certain to happen or when we have evidence to happen; however, “will” is used when we are talking about something with absolute certainty and evidence, data or justification are not required.

Instructions: Look at the pair of sentences given below and find out their meaning differences.

1. a) I will take the entrance exam to a university next year.

b) I have passed Grade Twelve School Leaving Examination successfully; I am going to take the entrance examination to join a university.

2. a) The tourist industry is suffering from the economic downturn due to COVID19; therefore, Dafersha is going to start another job outside Arba Minch town.

b) Dafersha will start another job outside Arba Minch town.

Fill in the blank spaces given in the following dialogue either with “be + going to + infinitive” or “will + infinitive” form of the main verb .

1. Habtamu: The rain is falling in torrents; so, I am going to call the director and inform him that I cannot conduct classes today.

2. Fikirte:     I think making a call to him is not important; you will go to your students with me by my Bajaj when the rain stops.

3. Habtamu: Your idea is good but it  is going to be difficult to cross the stream near by the school.

4. Fikirte:    You are correct but to solve that problem, I will use the newly built road at the rear of the school.

5. Habtamu: Has that road started giving service? It is good. Let us take that way. The rain is falling almost every day. Hence, I  am going to buy an umbrella from one of the boutiques by the new road.

Present Continuous Tense

The Present Continuous Tense, also known as the Present Progressive Tense, is a grammatical tense used to describe actions or situations that are ongoing at the time of speaking or are temporary in nature. It is formed by combining the present tense of the verb “to be” (am, is, are) with the base form of the main verb and the suffix “-ing”. For example, in the sentence “She is reading a book,” “is” is the present tense of “to be,” “reading” is the base form of the main verb “read,” and “-ing” is the suffix indicating the continuous aspect.

This tense is commonly used to describe actions happening now, future plans, or trends.

The present continuous tense is used in the following situations:

• 1. to describe actions/events that are taking place just at the time of speaking.

Example: We are discussing the uses of present continuous tense now.

• 2. to describe actions or events that are happening in the present time but not necessarily at the time of speaking.

Example: Nowadays, heavy rain is falling almost all over the country evenly.

3. To express an action that that is boring or frustrating to the speaker because of its repetitions.

• Example: I don’t understand why the woman is changing her behavior now and then.

  Using the Indefinite Pronoun “some” and “any”

Notice that some is mostly used with affirmative (positive) statements and sometimes in interrogative (question) sentences when positive responses are expected from the listener/reader. We use any in negative sentences and question or interrogative sentences but sometimes we can also use any in affirmative sentences when we intend to convey indefiniteness.

Now, use either some or any in the blank spaces given in the dialogue below

1. Dureti: Please, would you give me some bananas? You have plenty of them?

2. Kankie: Yes, I would. Haven’t you bought any before I come back?

3. Dureti: I was to buy but any of them hardly test good.

4. Kankie: As you have said, any of my bananas are not ripe; I am going to put them in a warm place for about two days.

5. Dureti: Yes, it is a good idea. Do you have any more question? I am leaving for work?

6. Kankie: Please give me some more minutes; I don’t get any happiness without your presence.

7. Dureti: Oh, sorry. I am in a hurry. Try to enjoy the sport news that will start at 2: 30.

8. Kankie: This is what any one advises me. Tell me something new.

  Clauses of Result

Note that so is followed by either an adjective or an adverb and such is by adjective a + singular countable noun or such+ adjective+ plural countable noun. In addition, notice that the adjectives many, much, little+ noun are preceded by so not such

Example: We have so many problems with regard to security that everyone is vigilant in keeping their surroundings.

Consider also the exceptional uses:

Example: Netsanet is so careful a girl that she does not face any harm.

Example: The tourist has not seen such a beauty that he decided to come back to Ethiopia after few months.

here are some more examples for each structure:

1. So…that:
   • She ran so fast that she won the race easily.
   • He spoke so quietly that nobody heard him.
2. Such…that:
   • The storm caused such damage that many homes were left without electricity for days.
   • She spoke with such eloquence that the entire audience was captivated by her words.
3. Such…a that:
   • He was such a talented musician that he could play any instrument he picked up.
   • She had such a kind heart that she volunteered every weekend at the local shelter.